Car Engine: What Major Components?

Cars move due to the thrust applied by the tires on the road surface. The force required to propel the vehicle is provided by the engine, whose rotational motion is transmitted to the wheels.

The mechanisms that make up the automobile have a special mission to fulfill within the overall operation of the vehicle and are closely related to each other.

The engine is located at the front and attached to the gearbox by the clutch. Rotational motion of the engine is transmitted through the clutch, gearbox, and driveshaft to the rear bridge, which applies it to the wheels, whose thrust is transmitted to the vehicle chassis by the propulsion system. The brakes, suspension, and steering complete the set of mechanisms that attach to the platform. (See More:  Liqui Moly)

Each of these mechanisms has a mission to fulfill in the automobile, which is described below.

Alternator

Without alternators, the battery will not recharge. Responsible for supplying electrical points with their current when the vehicle is running. Alternators work only when drivers trigger starts, then become inoperative.

Segment Rings

Present on the outside (piston) and inside (cylinder). They work to help mix fuel and air so that nothing leaks into the crankcase during compression. Rings are important in the car's engine. They act to manage the combustion cycle and the exhaust gases.

Drums

It provides power to the engine to function properly. Has responsibility for powering the automotive electrical system. It is noteworthy that, when unloaded, there is no chance of motorization working properly, generating considerable failures at startup.

Headstock

The head of the engine, popularly called "head," is also of fundamental importance to drivers who want to know how the car engine works. Next to the spark plugs, it is of fundamental importance in the work of valves that allow fuel and air to enter.

Cylinders

Responsible for providing piston movement, indispensable for engine work. According to experts, the power that exists in the powertrain structure is directly related to the cylinders. To know the engine of the car, you need to know that: The more displacement, the greater the potential.

Piston

Works on the inside of the cylinder. Old vehicles have this component made of cast iron, to the point that in modern cars, there is a structure made of aluminum, to reduce the chances of overheating in the motorization.

Starter Solenoid

This type of part has different names depending on the region of Brazil. There are mechanics who call it "relay" or "call coil." It is responsible for connecting the starter to the battery, which is a fundamental combination in the automotive system.

Valves

This component seals the composite structures in the chamber, which keeps the combustion to the exhaust, responsible for generating gas opening. For the full cycle, intake valves need to capture air and fuel.

Attention, when valves have problems, gas and oil burn out, generating a larger amount of smoke with dark color.

Spark plug

Car engine component indispensable for generating sparks as drivers start the engine, making the vehicle run. There is a mixture of gasoline and air going on starting work on the combustion cycle. Interestingly, such a structure is not present in diesel systems.

Crankshaft

Responsible for managing piston movements. Inside the combustion chamber, when fuel burns, the gases push the piston, which in turn is attached to the crankshaft or crankshaft.

In short, crankshafts turn the alternating movement of the pistons into the rotation, transmitting power directly to the wheels. This work occurs near the fixed bearings, present in the motor block.

The bushings, those bearing caps, serve to reduce friction on the crankshaft. The block fuses and generates specific lubrication to ensure oil circulates in the system.

An Eye on the Manual

To get to know car engines better, you need to check the owner's manual, a document with basic information, not only about the engine but also about other vehicle components.